Texas Open Carry Letter to reps!

This is a discussion on Texas Open Carry Letter to reps! within the Open Carry Issues & Discussions forums, part of the Defensive Carry Discussions category; I sent mine in today. Thought I would put this out for everyone else in Texas. Mods if this is not in right place, please ...

Texas Open Carry Letter to reps!

I sent mine in today. Thought I would put this out for everyone else in Texas. Mods if this is not in right place, please remove.

Dear Online Texas Open Carry Petition Signer:

My name is Ian McCarthy, Petition Founder, and Chair of the Texas Open carry Working Group. Thank you for signing the petition to restore our open carry rights!

Our effort is bearing fruit as Governor Perry has said he will sign an open carry bill if the legislature passes it. But unfortunately, no legislator has yet stepped forward to sponsor such a bill.

Unless an open carry bill is drafted and sponsored by a legislator in the next few weeks, there will be no bill for Governor Perry to sign! Let's work together and let the Texas Legislature know we want action on open carry rights restoration!

If you live, work, or go to school in Texas, now is the time to contact your state representative and senator and ask them to sponsor an open carry bill!

The facts are pretty stark - Texas is one of only 6 states banning the open carry of handguns. Of the 44 states which allow the open carry of handguns, only 14 states require any license to open carry. See map at OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost!.

Even for those who desire to conceal their handguns most of the time, the absolute ban on un-concealing handguns is not just an onerous mandate, it is essentially impossible to comply with at all times in all conditions. For example, under Texas law it is unlawful for any person to un-conceal their handgun (i.e., take off one's coat) even when visiting a friend's home, farm, ranch, or business.

The facts are pretty stark - Texas is one of only 6 states banning the open carry of handguns. Of the 44 states which allow the open carry of handguns, only 14 states require any license to open carry. See map at OpenCarry.org - A Right Unexercised is a Right Lost!.

Even for those who desire to conceal their handguns most of the time, the absolute ban on un-concealing handguns is not just an onerous mandate, it is essentially impossible to comply with at all times in all conditions. For example, under Texas law it is unlawful for any person to un-conceal their handgun (i.e., take off one's coat) even when visiting a friend's home, farm, ranch, or business.

I fully support Texans' right to carry and defend themselves. For that reason I am proud to say that during all three sessions that I have been a member of the legislature I have carried legislation to increase Texans' right to carry and protect themselves. During the upcoming legislative session, which begins in January of 2009, please be assured that I will work closely with the National Rifle Association and the Texas State Rifle Association to continue increasing individual rights for Texans to carry and defend themselves.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me. Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future.

Recieved letter from Senator Hegar

I emailed Hegar early this afternoon and got a email back recently.

Here it said,

I fully support Texans' right to carry and defend themselves. For that
reason I am proud to say that during all three sessions that I have been
a member of the legislature I have carried legislation to increase
Texans' right to carry and protect themselves. During the upcoming
legislative session, which begins in January of 2009, please be assured
that I will work closely with the National Rifle Association and the
Texas State Rifle Association to continue increasing individual rights
for Texans to carry and defend themselves.

I am in the process of putting together my legislative package of bills
for the 81st Session and have not decided as yet what specific bills I
will sponsor or author. I do want you to know that not sponsoring or
authoring a bill does not indicate lack of support for that issue. I
can support bills by voting for those bills in committee, in the Senate
Chamber as well as meeting with my colleagues and encouraging their
support as well.

Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts with me.
Please do not hesitate to do so again in the future.